Hair gathering device



July 30, 1968 R. M. KIRWAN HAIR GATHERING DEVICE Filed March 11, 1965 United States Patent 3,394,714 HAIR GATHERING DEVICE Robert M. Kirwan, 135 N. 29th Ave., Melrose Park, Ill. 60160 Filed Mar. 11, 1965, Ser. No. 438,942 1 Claim. (Cl. 13211) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A comb, having a gauge member mounted on the back to extend transversely across the teeth to separate and keep separate a single lock of hair of desired thickness. The back of the comb is formed with nubs or dimples along the end teeth and the gauge member with recurved ends enables said gauge member to be fixed at any one of various positions on the comb. Barbs at the end of the comb teeth prevent the escape of hair therefrom.

This invention relates to a hair gathering device.

In setting hair, it is the practice to separate a strand of the hair and Wrap it around a roller or curler, on which it may be moistened and then dried for a temporary curl or on which it may be treated with any well known permanent waving lotion to effect a permanent curl. Desirably, the thickness of hair over the length of the roller or curler will be substantially uniform for uniformity of treatment.

This invention is directed to a device for gathering with accuracy a segment of hair, rectangular in cross section, from the head of a person whose hair is to be curled for a uniformly thick application thereof to a roller or curler. It is likewise directed to a device of this character which not only gathers and forms such a rectangular strand of hair, but separates it from the rest of the users hair for isolation of the strand and consequent ease of application to the roller or curler. The device is a compact, inexpensive and relatively simple hand tool which may be used in gathering and curling in all directions for curling in any orientation and is adjustable so that strands of various thicknesses may be gathered. The adjustment of the device is easy.

The device also has particular utility in picking up solutions of various desired sorts by immersion therein for the application thereof to formed strands of hair.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a device embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation thereof looking at the device of FIG. 1 from the left hand side from the position 2-2;

FIG. 3 is a section taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a section taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 5 is a section taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

The illustrated device resembles generally a comb which may, for instance, be formed of molded hard rubber or plastic and includes a main body 10, hereinafter referred to as a comb, having a handle 12, a back 14 and teeth 16. As shown, the handle 12 and back 14 are continuous with a continuous peripheral flange 18 thereabout and a biconcave central portion 20. The teeth extend from the flange at right angles to the handle and back portions and in equal transverse width to the flange. The edges and ends of the teeth are rounded in convenice tional fashion. Longitudinally, the teeth are thin and closely spaced.

The two end teeth 22 and 24 have a somewhat different configuration from the teeth between. In addition to being somewhat heavier and thicker, they possess a longitudinal rib 26 on one edge thereof and a plurality of nubs 28 on the opposite edge. These teeth, at least, have parallel edges over that portion bearing the ribs and nubs.

The teeth likewise are formed with barbs 30 on their outer extremities. The barbs occur on one side only of the teeth and are longitudinally directed. The barbs stop appreciably short of touching the unbarbed side of the adjacent tooth. The barbs are thin relative to the width of the teeth.

The device of this invention includes likewise a gauge member 32 which is mounted to the teeth of the comb. The gauge member consists of a flat, straight strip 34 with recurved ends 36. The recurved ends embrace the end teeth 22 and 24 of the comb, and the straight, center strip portion 34 lies across the array of teeth against one side thereof. The gauge member is transversely channeled as at 38 within the recurved ends on that side thereof which adjoins the straight portion 34 to accommodate the ribs 26. The extremities 40 of the recurved ends are interiorly dimpled at 42 to match the nubs 28.

The adjustment of the gauge will be readily understood from the foregoing description. The gauge is secured in any desired position transversely of the teeth of the comb by the detent-like action existing between the nubs 28 and the dimples 42. On the other hand, by simply the application of an excess of pressure to the gauge member the guide member may be moved along the outer teeth, disengaging the original detent latching and moving the gauge into another detent engagement. The material of which the gauge member is formed should offer sufficient resilience so that the recurved ends can spring enough to disengage the nubs 28.

The use of this device will likewise be evident from the foregoing description. The gauge member will be established at a distance from the top or inside edges of the barbs 30 equivalent to the thickness of the strand of hair which it is desired be picked up. Thereafter the comb is introduced into the hair in conventional fashion. The hair will escape into the space between the teeth past the barbs 30 until the tooth space between the gauge and barbs is filled. Thereafter no more hair can be admitted into the teeth. As the comb is then raised from the head, the barbs effectively prevent the escape of the hair and the desired strand is thus conveniently separated and lifted for its application to a roller or a curler. The gauge member, of course, limits the capacity of the spaces between the teeth so that the strand which is gathered is rectangular in cross section and thus will be uniform across the length of the roller or curler.

It will likewise be appreciated that the barbs 30 will be notably effective in retaining liquid solutions between the teeth of the comb which may be used for the various treatments of hair. The barbs enhance greatly the liquid holding capacity of the comb.

It is also contemplated that the gauge itself may be used for liquid application. It may carry or support saturable materials in such fashion that the hair may contact the materials to receive a deposit of a saturating fluid therefrom.

It will be appreciated that an embodiment only of this invention has been set forth here and that variations in structure will undoubtedly suggest themselves. It is therefore desired that this invention be regarded as being limited only as set forth in the following claim.

What is claimed is:

1. A hair gathering device comprising a comb having a back and parallel teeth extending therefrom, a gauge 3 4 member mounted to said teeth to extend transversely References Cited across said teeth in parallel relation with the line otthe UNITED STATES PATENTS ends of said teeth and movable 1nto discrete positions spaced at intervals from said line, cooperating means 325,226 8/1885 Wells 132-419 X adapted to fix said gauge member at any of various posi- 5 2,380,730 7/1945 Demyfmovlch X tions spaced from said line, said cooperating means eom- 21605373 8/1952 Auclan' prises recurved ends on said gauge member embracing 266'11007 12/1953 Bauer 13245 X said end teeth and dimples and nubs on opposing surfaces of said ends and barbs at the ends of said teeth projecting LOUIS MANCENE Primary Examiner longitudinally therefrom in the line of said comb to pre- 10 I. W. MITCHELL, Assistant Examiner. vent the escape of hair from said teeth. 

